Method of gripping and crossing cables



4 SheetsSheet- 1.

(No Model.)

R. R'AMSDEN. METHOD OF GRIPPING AND CROSSING GABLES.

No. 298,312. Patented May 6, 1884.

N. PETERS, Phuloiilhngmphcn Wasln'uslnn. D. c.

(No Model.) I 4 SheetsSheet' 2. R. RAMSDEN.

METHOD OF GRIPPING AND CROSSING GABLES.

Patent-ed May 6, 1884.

Witnesses.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Modlel.)

R. RAMSDEN, METHOD OF GRIPPING AND CROSSING GABLES. No. 298,312.

Patented May 6, 1884.

N, PETERS. Phma-Lilhognpher. Wishingkon, v.1; v

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

R. RAMSDEN. METHOD OF GRIPPING AND CROSSING GABLES.

Patented May 6, 1884.

Vi itnesses.

ihvrrnn Sra'rns PATENT @rricri.

ROBERT RAMSDEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD CF GRlPPiNG AND CRGSSiNG CABLES.

SPECIFIQATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,312, dated May 6, 1884.

Application filed Decomberfi, 1883. (No model.)

To (all who/r1 it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT RAMSDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful mechanical combination for attach" ing cars to a cable-motor passing through a conduit, and to enable that same cable-motor to move said cars over another cable which crosses through the same conduit, either above or below the cable, to which said cars are attached and capable of being moved by my invention and method of gripping, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in the construction of the gripping mechanism for propelling cars, 850., by a cable-motor; also, in the construction of the cable-motors conduit at and near to where another cable passes through it; and the objects of my improvements are, first, to afford facilities for instantaneously gripping and raising a cablemotor from its normal level on its carryingpulleys, and, the cable being in motion, by 'varying the tightness of the grip to either propel the car or allow it to be stopped at will without letting the cable fall from the grip, or to release the cable entirely and allow it to fall to its normal level on its carrying-pulleys; second, to afford facilities to propel the car when crossing another similar cable-motor, which crosses through the conduit of and above the cable-motor to which my improvement is attached; third, to prevent the gripping mechanism from running against or damaging the upper crossing cable when passing it whether the car is propelled by cable-motor, momentum, or gravity; fourth, to release a car from one cable and attach it to another cable by the motion obtained from attachment to either cable by my invention; 1 attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation of the whole gripping mechanism attached to the car and gripping the cable-motor in its conduit, and the cable being raised to its working level. It also shows the interior of the conduit approaching to, at, and beyond the point of a crossing line, the direction of the cable motion being from the left hand to the right band.

Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a part plan of the gripping mechanism outside of the conduit. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a side elevation of the portion of the main grip which operates in the conduit. Fig. 4, Sheet 2, is an end elevation of same. Fig. 5,Sheet 2, is aplan ofFig. 3belowlineAB. Fig. 6, Sheet 2, is a vertical section, Fig. 3, on line 0 D. Fig. 7, Sheet 2, is a horizontal section, Fig. 3, on line E F. Fig. 8, Sheet 3, is a side elevation of support and mechanism for operating themain grip. Fig. 9, Sheet3, is an end elevation of same. Fig. 10, Sheet 3, is a plan of cross-girtj with chains removed. .Fig. 11, Sheet 3, is a horizontal section at and plan of Fig. 8 below line AB. Fig. 12, Sheet 3, is an enlarged section of cross-head and link at line C D, Fig. 8. 13, Sheet 3. is a section on line E F, Fig. 12. Fig. 1 1, Sheet 4, is a side elevation of the auxiliary grip. Fig. 15, Sheet 4, is a vertical section of the auxiliary grip on line G H, Fig. la. Fig. 16, Sheet 4.. is a part plan ot'a movable portion of the auxiliary grip above line G H, Fig. l i; Fig. 17, Sheet 4, is a horizontal section of movable part of same on line G E, Fig. let.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views.

' The axles I 1 and wheels J J in Figs. 1 and 2 represent the running-gear of the car to be propelled. Bars 15K extend beneath the car from axle to axle, and are attached to them by journal-fittings of any suitable construe tion.

To K K are lirmly secured cross-bars 1, 2, 3, and e, of such length and placed at such distance apart as to form spaces to admit the pas sage of all the working parts required to be placed beneath them, the whole constituting the frame-work support of the other parts, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Firmly secured to cross-bars 1 and 2 are vertical hollow slide-posts L L, connected at their top by the cross-girt j, which supports the pulleys a a, b I), 800., in Figs. 8 and 10.

Lnmediately under the slide-posts L L are pulleys d d, placed in line with pulleys a b on the cross-girtj, as shown in FigsS, 9, 10, 11. A cross-head, M M, Fig. 8, is fitted with rectangular slotted ends to slide vertically between the posts L L, and at its forward end has an anti-friction pulley, 7a. (See Fig. 1 1.)

Between the rectangular ends the cross'head M M is cylindrical in section and uniform in thickness. One end of the cylindric part is shouldered and secured into the rectangular end M by the key Z7. Chains pass from each end of the cross-head M M around the pulleys d d, through the posts L L, over the pulleys a a b b to the adjustable eyebolts f f, and thus form a parallel motion for the cross-head M M.

To the eyebolt c, Fig. 8, is attached a chain, which passes up over pulley c, and is eontinued and connected to the lower end of lever N, (see Fig. 1,) for the purpose of reciprocating the cross-head M M by operating the said lever N. The end Z, Fig. 8, of the cross-head is projected beyond the post L for the purpose, hereinafter described, of acting on the lever Z, which is fulcrumed to the post L. The end in of cross-head M M is forked around the post L, and projects beyond it to carry the bolt 11, Figs. 8 and 11, for the purpose hereinafter described. A link, O, Fig. 8, is fitted at its top end to oscillate freely on the eylindric part of the crosshead M M. The bottom end of link is bored to receive the cylindrie knobs of, and slotted to receive .and 4.

the ends of, plate 1?, for the purposes as hereinafter described. A forked plate, P, of proper thickness to pass freely through the slot S of the conduit T, Fig. 1, has its forked ends formed into cylindric knobs to fit and oscillate in the lower end of the link O, as shown in Figs. 8, 12, and 13, in such manner that plate I? will be suspended in line with the cross-head M H, and be free to oscillate in the link O, and is secured thereto by the bolts y g, Figs. 12 and 13. Thus the oscillation of the link O will allow of side motion of the car while rounding curves, irregularities of track, &c., without its materially affecting the passage of the plate P through the slot S in the conduit T, Fig. 1. The forked plate 1? is continued downward, and is of sufficient length and width to operate as required in the conduit T, Fig. 1, and at its closed end is curved backward and dovetailed across its face 8, Figs. atand 6, to receive the friction-block a, and below the dovetail it is bent farther backward, to serve to guide the cable to its grip, when the grip falls to the normal level of the cable. by p) is a roller, It, for carrying the grip up theinclined plane in the conduit T, as hereinafter described. On the face p, on each side of the roller R, are rollers a- 9*, Figs. 4 and 5, placed so as to be opposite the strain of the cable-motor when rounding curves to the left hand. On face 8, above the dovetail, are lugs 8', bored to admit the fulcrum-pin 0, Figs. 3 This construction of plate 1? with its friction-block, rollers, and lugs, as described, I designate as the fixed jaw of the main grip.

A short plate, U, of sufficient thickness, is dovetailed to correspond with the dovetail of On the side of the plate P (indieated' plate 1?. Above its dovetail plate U is made to fit snugly between thelugs s of plate I, and projects above and outward from them. At t, Figs. 5 and (i, it is bored to admit the fulcrum-pin 0, which passes through it and the lugs 8', thus hinging it to the plate P. At the end of its projection it is forked to admit one end of a link, a, and a bolt passing freely through both connects them.

On plate U are rollers r w, opposite to and corresponding in position to the rollers r r on plate 1, and are for the purpose of rounding curves to the right hand. At each end, below the dovetail of and attached to the plate U, are grooved pulleys R R, for carrying the cable while the ear is stopped for receiving or discharging passengers, &c. This construction of plate U with its friction blocks, rollers, and pulleys, as described, I designate as the movable jaw of the main grip.

Between the forks of the plate P of same thickness, sliding freely between them, and extending up between and "above the cylindric knobs of plate 1 is a movable plate, V, having at its lower end lugs 12 a, between which is held one end of the link a. They project on each side over the inner edges of the plate P.

Immediately back of the lugs 12 o, and also overlapping P P, is a plate, w, secured by bolts to plate V, so as to keep it in place, yet allowing it to slide freely up and down vertically,- as shown in Fig. 7. The upper end of plate V, after passing through and above the slotted lower end, m, Figs. 12 and 13, of link 0, is slotted horizontally, through which passes a bolt, m, connecting it with the bell-cranks Q.

The bell-cranks Q have their fulcrum-pin in the top of plate 1?, which is prolonged above its cylindric knob on one side, 19, for that purpose, the link 0 being cut out to allow the fulcrum to oscillate freely, and the bellcranks are set wide apart for the same purpose, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. To the other end of the bell cranks Q is attached a forked connecting-rod, q, Figs. 8, 11, and 12, which is continued and connected to the lower end of the lever \V, as in Fig. 1, and thus the movable jaw of the grip can be operated by the lever XV. This lever W is made in two parts, V and m, the part (I? being attached to the part \V by the self-acting latch 1 thus connecting them as one lever.

To the upper end of lever Z, Figs. 1 and 8, is attached a rod, Z, which extends to hellcrank Z, and operates rod Z" and lever y to raise the latch and releases the part 00 of the lever XV, thus allowing the grip to be thrown wide open by the spring a independently of the operator at levers N and NV.

The combination of mechanism thus far described as operatcd and controlled by the levers N and \V in connection with the crosshead M M, I hereby designate as the main grip, to be so understood in future references thereto.

To the cross-bars 3 and 4, Figs. 2, 14, and

15, are secured triangular plates 5 5, slotted to receive the cross-head 6, which supports all the working parts of what I am now describing as the auxiliary grip. The triangular plates 5 5 are set wide enough apart to allow for the side motion of the car when passing curves or irregularities of the track. 850., without impeding the passage of the gripping mechanism through the slot of the cable-conduit T. In the combination shown in Fig. 1 the construction of the portion of the'auxiliary grip which operates in the conduit T is the same as the corresponding portion of the main grip, as designated, except that the carrierpulleys R Rare left off, as shown. (See Fig. 6.)

Above the conduit the construction of the auxiliary grip is as follows: From the crosshead 6, Figs. 14 and 15,. is continued the fixed jaw of the auxiliary grip corresponding to and performing the same functions as the forked plate I? on the main grip, as previously de scribed and designated. The crosshead 6 at the line G H, Fig. 14, is constructed, as shown in Fig. 17, to allow the plate 7 to move freely up and down. In the upper end of plate7 (which corresponds to the plateVin the main grip) is a spring, 8, inclosing a guide-bolt, 9, to which is attached a block, 10, which slides vertically in the plate 7. To the sliding block 10 is connected, by the pin 11, the lever 12, which has its fulcrum in the plate 6, as shown in Figs. 14 and 16, the whole, by its suspension from cross-head 6, being free to move vertically and horizontally between the triangular plates 5 5, as desired. The motion oflever 12 is constant, and the wear of metal in the jaws of the grip is compensated for by the action of the spring 8. At the other end of lever 12'is a pawl, 13, that is acted on by the pin a of cross-head M M of the main grip. (See Figs. 11 and 14.) The guide-bolt 9 in Figs. 14, 15, and 17 has adjusting-nuts at its lower end for compressing spring 8, as in Figs. 1.4, 15, and 17. Where another cable, X, Fig. 1, crosses above the cable to which my invention is applied, and through the same conduit, I construct the conduit of cross form, as may be required by the angle at which the cables cross each other, and of suitable cross-section, as in this case illustrated by dotted lines 20 of Fig. 1, and with open slot S and S in top of each branch, as required for the passage of the gripping mechanism in each direction. In the direction of its length, and onone side of the interior of the conduit T, containing the bottom cable, I attach a flange. 14, projecting toward the center of conduit T, commencing at a short distance from and at a height just above the height of the crossing-cable X. I continue it opposite to the direction of motion of the cable, downward to near the bottom of conduit T, to such distance as may be required, as determined by the height of the crossingcable X, and projecting toward center of conduit T only far enough to be acted on by the roller B, as hereinafter described. On the same side of conduit T, at short distance on the other side of cable X, I place a flange, 19, starting at same height, width, and projection as flange 14. I continue it in the direction of motion of the cable, and downward and to such distance as may be required, for the purpose hereinafter described, the flanges 14 and 19 forming planes to be traversed bythe roller R on the fixed jaw of the main grip, in the manner and for the purpose as hereinafter described. On the opposite side of the interior of the conduit T are attached flanges duplicating those just described, excepting that the length and inclination of the one opposite to flange 14 are indicated by the dotted line 18 18, Fig. 1. lVhen deemednecessary, I also propose to construct flanges 14 and 19, and their duplicates opposite them at their ends nearest the cable X, with hinged portions 15 and 16, connected by levers, and

kept raised by the spring 17, for the purpose of allowing the conduit of the cable X to be entirely unobstructed by any of the flanges heretofore described. The duplicate flanges form planes to be traversed by the roller R on the fixed jaw of the auxiliary grip, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The operation of the whole is as follows: The cable being at its running-level 011 its carrier-pulleys A in conduit T, as shown by dotted line in Fig. 1, the main and auxiliary grips being placed in their lowest positions, with their jaws spanning, but not grippingthe cable, the jaws of the main grip being kept open by the action of spring a through its connections with the movable jaw hereinbefore described and designated, and the jaws of the auxiliary grip being kept open by the action of lever 12 (through plate 7 and connections) on the movable jaw of auxiliary grip, (the position and consequent action of lever 12 is determined by the action on its pawl 13, by the cross-head M M, by means of the fork m and bolt 1 as shown in Figs. 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, by operating the lever \V the movable jaw of the main grip closes, and the pulleys R R pass under and secure the position of thecable between the jaws of the main grip. Then by operating the lever N, the main grip is raisedhigh enough to clear the fixed carrierpulleys A in the conduit, and with it the cable inclosed and carried by the pulleys R R. Simultaneously the cable is raised into the jaws of the auxiliary grip, and they are closed so as to barely grasp the cable by the connection of its lever 12 with the cross-head M M of the main grip, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. By further operating the lever W the jaws of the main grip are closed until the cable is firmly held, and its motion thereby transmitted to the car to which the said gripping mechanism is attached. Thus, by operating the lever W, the cable may be released sufficiently to allow of stopping the car (by the usual methods of brakes, 85c.) without being dropped. from the grip, the cable running on the carrier-pulleys R B only. At the same time, if required, the cable may be entirely released from both grips, and by means of the lever N and its connections the main grip can be lowered to pick up the cable instantaneously, and proceed as before described. The car being propelled by the main grip, and the auxiliary grip spanning closely the cable, as just described, the whole approaching a crossing-cable, X, Fig. 1, on arriving at the flange 14 in conduit T, the roller It of the main grip passes onto and up it, and in doing so raises the main grip and with it the cable, and when it arrives at the position shown at R the cross-head M, by its bolt it, acts on the pawl 13 of lever 12 of the auxiliary grip, raises it to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 14, closes its jaws firmly on the cable, thus propelling the car by the auxiliary grip. Nearly simultaneously, as may be arranged, the projection I on other end of cross-head M operates the lever Z, and through its connecting-rod and lever, as shown in Fig. 1, releases the catch 3 on lever V, and the spring z opens the jaws of the main grip, and thus releases the cable from it. Continuing, the roller R passes up and onto the hingedpart of of the flange l4, and raises the cross-head M M to position as in dotted lines, Fig. 8, the roller passes to position It, as shown in Fig. 1, and in doing so closes flanges l5 and 16, (which were previously held open by the action of the spring 17 and the levers connecting the1n,) and thus forms a continuous flange, over which roller It passes without allowing the main grip to come in contact with the cableX. Nhen it descends to the position R by its gravity, the crosshead M M, by its action on the lever 12 of the auxiliary grip, opens its jaws and the car stops, or, at least, is not subject to the action of the cable. (Positio'nsR It R show the relative positions of the roller R of auxiliary grip when the rollerR ofthe main grip is in thepositionsR R R'fljust described.) The cable being then seized by the main grip, as before, the car is propelled, and the roller R of the auxiliary grip, by passing over the flanges l8 l8 (dotted lines) opposite to the flanges l4 and 19, carries its grip over the cable X. The grip then gravitates to its normal position over the cable as when first started, and is ready to be put in action by the cross-head M M at the next occasion. Thus the car is propelled over the crossing-cable X by the positive action of the cable, and the grips are not liable to come in contact with the crossing-cable X whether the car is propelled by cable, momentum, or gravitation.

A car being propelled by being attached by my'invention to a cable which passes around a curve and crosses under another cable, (if required to propel the car by transferring the attachment to the top cable,) then the angle of the connecting-branches of the conduit is to be such that the end of the curve at point of crossing will be as nearly tangential, as reit is then in the same relative position to the main grip as when the car was propelled by the bottom line. A similar proper proportioning and arranging of conduit and flanges would admit the transfer of the gripping from a top to a bottom line, and would also apply to the same changing if the transfer were to be made by crossing straight lines.

I do not restrict myself to any particular length of the flanges 14 15 16 18 19, or to the angles they form with the line of motion of the cable, as I propose to vary them, as required, by the height of crossing line, velocity of cable, grade of track, or other necessities that may exist or arise for the purpose of crossing cable X, or passing from one line to another. a

I do not restrict myself to the use of the combination of the herein-described main grip and auxiliary grip, as I purpose using two of either grips for crossing, and either grip alone for use on top cable-lines. I also intend to connect crosshead 6 and lever 12 of the aux iliary grip with the levers N and NV, so that if necessary the auxiliary grip can be used to as sist the main grip or to propel the car itself when at other points than crossing lines. I have omitted the illustration of these last intentions to avoidconfusion in the drawings.

I am aware that cars have been propelled by gripping a cable in motion in a conduit beneath surface level, and that the gripping has been done by one jaw hinged and OlOSing,

against another, the fixed jaw supporting and carrying the cable, with gripping-blocks operated by hand-wheel and rack-and-pinion motion.

I am also aware that the gripping has been done by gripping-blocks in connection with wheels operated by hand wheel and screws, and capable of raising the cable above its carrier-pulleysslowly. Therefore I do not claim, broadly, a combination to effect those results only; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A slotted conduit, T, witl branches on one or both sides, and having flanges 14 15 16 18 19 attached or formed on its interior, over which the gripping mechanism rolls, and is carried safely over a cable, which passes through or into said conduit, and above the cable, traveling longitudinally along said conduit, substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

2. The combination, in a cable-grip, of a fixed jaw, P, movable jaw U, plate V, link 0, cross-head M M, posts L L, girder j, pulleys IIO a a b 1) 0d d, bell-cranks Q, and the rods (1 lever 12, and pawl 13, all constructed and com- 10 Z Z chains 9, projection l, levers Z 3/, springs bined to operate substantially in the manner y z, and levers N and \V, all constructed and hereinbefore described, as the auxiliary grip,

combined to operate substantially in the manfor the purpose specified.

ner hereinbefore described as the main rip forthe purpose specified. b ROBERT RAMSDEN' 3. The combination, in a cable-grip, of slot- Witnesses:

ted plates 5 5, a fixed jaw having cross-head ELMORE CHARLES HINE,

6 6 6, movable jaw U, plate 7, spring 8, bolt 9, Julius DAVIES RAMSDEDL 

